A video-clip of Chairman Mao Memorial Mausoleum as seen and filmed from the South, from Shenyang Gate (2003 AD).
Visitors stream out of the Mausoleum after their Brief visit. The lady at the loudspeaker gives instructions for visitors to the Mausoleum.
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Short Introduction to Mao Zhuxi Jinian Tang, the
Chairman Mao Zedong
Memorial Hall
A good impression of the size of TiananMen square looking west from it's Eastern flank (National Museum) past Mao's Mausoleum.
The Southern Facade of Mao Mausoleum Building decorated with Huge Statues honoring the anonymous Heroes of China's proletarian Revolution (Photo November 2003 AD).
Looking South: The Noth Facade of Chairman Mao Mausoleum with ShenyangMen in the Background (Photo November 2003 AD).
Mao's Mausoleum (Mao Zhuxi Jianian Tang), ShenyangMen Gate and QianMen Gate in the distance during a quiet day in November 2003 AD.
A Near abondonned TiananMen Square, QianMen, ShenyangMen and Mao Zedong Mausoleum with the old Bank of China Building in the far distance (Photo November 2003 AD).
The East Flank and Main Vistor Entrance to The Mausoleum. Vistors, mainly Chinese Nationals, line up to have a brief glimpse of the preserved corps of the Mighty and Legendary Chairman inside the Mausoleum Building (Photo November 2003 AD).
Crowds push in en masse to visit the Mao Mausoleum Building, which is only open in the morning (Photo November 2003 AD).
The North Facade of Chairman Mao Mausoleum with across the Monument to The Heroes of the Revolution (Photo November 2003 AD).
Chairman Mao Mausoleum and the Monument to The Heroes of the Revolution at TiananMen Square decorated with Red Flags and abundant snow (Photo November 2003 AD).
A View along the Eastern Flank of TiananMen Square with a clear view of Mao's Mausoleum with the Great Hall of the Peoples (Left/West), Monument of the Heroes o/t Revolution and the Roofs of the Palace Museum in the Far Distance (Photo May 2005 AD).
An Important Notice showing the opening hours and more importantly the regulations in force to be allowed to visit the Chairman inside his Mausoleum (Photo November 2003 AD).
View of an illuminated TiananMen Square from the South-East corner with from Left to Right Bank of China, Great Hall of the Peoples and Chairman Mao Mausoleum (Photo November 2003 AD).
A Quiet TiananMen Square, Flag Poles and the South Face of the Mao Mausoleum Palace. In the Background the Old Bank of China Building and China's "Peoples Democratic" Parliament, the gigantic Great Hall of the Peoples building in TiananMen Square's western flank. (Photo November 2003 AD).
Tourists browse around at the South Face of Mao Mausoleum. (Photo Nov. 2003 AD).
View more details of the North Face of the Mausoleum.
View more details of the South Face of the Mausoleum.
Mao Zedong Memorial Hall is the Tomb-site for China's Father of the Nation, the longtime Chairman & Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, Mao Zedong. The Mausoleum building itself is a strange mix of 1950's Stalinist architecture and some unclear hints of European and Chinese styles. It was constructed shortly after the death of Mao Zedong in September 1976 AD. For this, part of the gigantic TiananMen Square had to be cleared permanently to make room for this new and final
Directions to Mao Zhuxi Jinian Tang, the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall
The Mausoleum building is easily located at the very Center of Beijing, at TiananMen Square,the Square of Heavenly Peace. Situated just off-center at the South Side of this largest Square in the World, the Mausoleum cannot be missed nor overlooked, as was intended.
The Square and the Mausoleum can most easily be reached by Metro/Subway, taking either the Blue or Red Line. The nearest
Close-up of the south and east-sides of the Mausoleum Building. It's dimmed lights reflecting the solemn Tomb-like nature of the building and respect for a great lost leader the Mausoleum is the least lit TiananMen square structure.
Tips for Visiting the Mao Zedong Memorial Hall
If you hadn't figured it out by yourself yet, please be aware that Mao Zedong was not only the Founding Father of the Nation, but was for a long time regarded as a semi-god among the Chinese in General. To be precise: Mao Zedong was Chairman of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China from 1943 AD onwards and the Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China from 1945 until his death. Therefor, the Memorial Hall can be considered to be the Holiest Shrine in the Nation entire. This is a Shrine to Chinese Communism and it's Legacy and therefor the proper behavior and respect is expected at all Times. Guards are on duty nearby at all Times and are far less tolerant than anywhere else, such as outside on the Square of Heavenly Peace. Please refrain from loud talking, political discussion and certainly the shouting of names. Chuckling and funny remarks are not appreciated and may very well land you in a political incident. Don't get arrested. Do not smuggle in Camera's or other recording devices.
Admission is Free, no Bags or hand-luggage are allowed inside the Mausoleum and Halls. See the Visitor Information (adjacent photo) for the Details.
An Evening View of an illuminated Mao Mausoleum with ShenyangMen Gate in the Background (Photo November 2004 AD).
The Ground-Breaking Ceremony for the construction was held on November the 24Th of 1976 AD and the Monument was finished in exactly 6 Months, leading to a completion on May the 24Th of 1977 AD. Construction was overseen by Hua GuoFeng, who's signature can be found on the founding message of the Memorial Hall.
The Mausoleum as a last addition is integrated with the architecture of the new Tian an Men Square and it's buildings created between 1956 AD and 1959 AD. The whole square was intended as a giant gathering place for the Chinese People and Parading ground for the Communist Following and People's Liberation Army.
As such streets and square are wide and tailored for heavy military traffic. Major Political Rallies were held in the Square during the Cultural
Tiananmen Square Architectural and Political Monument.
Today Mao Zedong Memorial Hall is one of the Top Attractions to visit on the Square, especially for Chinese Nationals from other more remote parts and provinces of the Country. Every day crowds line up to visit this Shrine to Chinese Communism (also dubbed Maoism) and it's world-renowned former Leader and
Thinker Mao Zedong. Many more people, from all Nations and corners of the world, come to the Square of Heavenly Peace to take Photo's of the Mausoleum or have themselves Photographed. The Mausoleum for Chairman Mao is the crowning piece of TiananMen Square -the Square of Heavenly Peace- at the new Center of Beijing as a Political and Architectural Monument and proclamation. The Hall contains an immense Statue of Mao Zedong as well as the preserved body of
Mao, guarded all hours of each day by an Honorary Guard. The building is further rigged with alarms and camera's throughout, as well as equipment with an ingenious mechanism to keep the body of the Great Leader in optimum condition at all Times.
Satellite Image Map of TiananMen Square - Square of Heavenly Peace with links to sites, monuments and streets on and around the Square.
Subway Station would be QianMen Station located at the South End of the Square (Blue Line). The next options are the Red Lines TiananMen Dong (East) and TiananMen Xi (West) Subway Stations.
There are several Bus Lines reaching The Square of Heavenly
Peace but none stop at or near the actual Square. Nearest by is the QianMen Bus Station located at and off the far South End of the Square. Other Bus Lines pass East and Westward along Chang An (Eternal Peace) Jie' (Avenue), today the longest boulevard in Asia entire and located off the North End passing between the actual Square and the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tian 'An Men).
Admission to the Mausoleum is Free of Charge. No Bags or Camera's are allowed inside. DO NOT TAKE THE RISK TO DISREGARD THIS !!
The Memorial Hall is a Square Building of 33.6 Meters in Height covering a surface area of 20.000 Square Meters. Inside are no less than 10 Halls, which are open to the Public. In the First Hall upon Entrance, the North Hall stands a Giant 3 Meter High white marble Statue of Mao Zedong sitting down and smiling as a post-modern Milefo. Behind the Statue of Mao hangs a Large Scale embriodered cloth depicting scenes from throughout the Provinces of the Huge Country. The piece is Titled "Throughout China". This North Hall is the Hall designed for Memorial Purposes, and it can hold up to 700 People at once.
From here cary on either East or West.
Beyond lie the East and West Hall holding Exhibitions highlighting the Glorious Marches of the Chinese Communist Party and it's Great leader Mao Zedong. Here we see Mao at his Best and among Friends, his comrades Liu ShaoQi and Zhou Enlai, and the legendary General of the 8Th Route Army, Zhu De. Many more lesser heroes are depicted as well, and inside the Hall Relics from
the Long March, the Anti-Japanese War, the Third Civil War with the KuoMinTang and other Cultural and Political upheavals are combined with Photos, Documents and historic Letters presented in a very impressive and often touching way.
At the Core of Chairman Mao Zedong Memorial Hall lies the Respecting Hall which is the Room in which the body of Mao Zedong is displayed to the Public. At the Center of the Hall is a large black marble platform upon which a silver cristal coffin is displayed. Within the Coffin lie the mortal remains of the Great leader, Thinker and Founding Father of the Nation in a Grey Sun Yat-Sen Style suit-uniform and draped with the Red Banner of the Chinese Communist Party. The entire black platform is surrounded by abundant flowers. Above the Platform in clear gold-plated letters upon the white marble inner wall is written : Eternal Glory to our Great Leader and Teacher Chairman Mao !
According to Mao's Private Doctor, Mister Li ZhiSui in his book "The Private Life of
Architectural Significance of Mao Memorial Hall at TiananMen Square
The whole Monument of the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall should however be seen within the larger context of the TiananMen Square Architecture. Standing almost at the Center of the Square and Set in line with the 6 Main Monuments, it
China's National Flag stand on the Square, signifying an important shift of the Center of Political Gravity in the Chinese Capital. Beyond the Square stands the Gate of Heavenly Peace (Tian 'An Men), the one-time Platform for Political Messages and Decrees from the Emperors of the Ming and Ching Dynasties. Beyond the Gate of Heavenly Peace, at TaiHeDian (Hall of Supreme Harmony) stands the Dragon Throne, the place once considered the center of the Universe and certainly the Old Political Center of China. Chairman Mao Mausoleum forms the Final Statement in the Political Commentary and Monument.
Construction of Chairman Mao Memorial Hall at TiananMen Square
The last building to be completed at the Square, Mao Zedong Memorial Mausoleum was built at the Southern Half of TiananMen Square. The construction on the Memorial Hall began immediatly after Mao Zedong's Death in September 1976 AD. According to historic sources, at the Time, on the 8Th of September 1976 the ruling Politburo (acting committee) of the Communist Party of China needed less than two hours to decide to preserve the body of the Chairman. Initially the period of preservation was only two weeks, but not much later it was decided to change the period into indefinite and infinite. Thus, the body of Mao was preserved as was that of Lenin, founder of the 1917 AD Russian Revolution, and Stalin, the brutal Communist-Fascist Dicator at Red Square in Moscow and the body of Ho Chi Min,
Leader of The Vietnamese Revolution in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Lenin and Stalin were the great inspirers of the Chairman and China's early Communist Party (At later Times Stalin and Mao weren't the Best of Friends at all regardless of many Propaganda Depictions). Ho Chi Min was inspired by Leninism, the Russian Revolution and the Chinese Communist Party and Achievements.
Evening View of a Palm, Flower and Slogan Decorated Square of Heavenly Peace and Monuments illuminated during a Cold November 2004 AD and the 16Th Congress of The Chinese Communist Party.
Mao Zhuxi Jinian Tang, the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall in the Evening and at Night
( This varies between weekdays at 10 and Fridays, Saturdays and holidays until 11 ).
The Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, as a Tomb Site, has a Lower Tone of Lighting except during Festivities and Special Holidays. At the end of the evening the lights are switched of one by one, slowly dimming as a candle.
Mao", there is an elevator hidden beneath the black marble platform, allowing for the body of Mao to be transported lower where it is kept overnight in special preservation, climate and athmosphere. According to the same book there is wax doll of Mao Zedong stored below as well, as initially Dr ZhiSui was not at all sure he would be able to preserve the body as was called for by the Communist leadership.
Revolution Era leaving the world with spectacular images of Mao the Chairman on the Platform of the TianAnMen - Gate of Heavenly Peace and Millions of Exasperated Chinese with Red Arm Bands waving their "Little Red Book". At the End of the Era,
Map of Beijing City Central Districts with at the Core Tian'An Men Square and Mao Mausoleum.
in 1976 over 1 Million People filled the Square to say their Farewells to the beloved "Great Helmsman".
You Tube Video : Death of Mao Zedong !
Browse YouTube.com for More Video's and Backgrounds on the Life, Times and Achievements of Mao Zedong.
ShenYangMen - Arrow Tower Gate and the Memorial Hall for Mao Zedong as seen from the South-West corner of the Square of Heavenly Peace (Photo November 2003 AD).
In perfect conjunction with the other Monuments and the Grandiose Style of TianAnMen Square in Beijing The Mausoleum is a final element to fill up the Giant Parading ground and Memorial Political Center of China, thereby almostvisually consolidating an image of the Great Revolution for today and many generations to come.
As originally envisioned by Mao, the entire TiananMen Square is now a giant propaganda masterpiece proclaiming the socialist revolution in China.
Opening Hours Mao Mausoleum :
No Visits are possible on Mondays when the Hall is closed. Otherwise, the Hall opens at 8:30 AM and locks it's doors at 11:30 am.
During July and August the Mausoleum only opens in the Morning, however at other times during the year Opening Hours have been expanded to afternoons as well. Tuesdays and Thursdays the Mausoleum can be visited from 2:00 PM to 16:00 PM as well.
For more information call Telephone 0086-10-65131130.
